River and Floodplain Engineer

Full Job Description

Are you ready to become part of a dynamic, diverse, and driven team who step together toward challenges and who strive to continually improve processes and outcomes?

We are a well-funded, mission-driven public service agency who work at the interface of risk-reduction/infrastructure-protection and habitat restoration along major rivers throughout King County.

As a River and Floodplain Engineer you will have a chance to work on challenging river management and design projects in locations spanning from steep rivers of the Cascade Mountains to tidally influenced lowlands.

These projects are a diverse and technically challenging body of work.

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Engineer II positions throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next twelve (12) months.

About the Role:
We are seeking to hire two (2) River and Floodplain Engineers (Engineer II) to join a multidisciplinary team working on rivers throughout King County. These positions are both located within the Water & Land Resources Division on the Strike Team. This team is focused on designing and repairing damaged flood risk reduction levees and revetments and supporting the work of the River and Floodplain Management Section.

Both positions provide excellent opportunities to apply engineering skills combined with a love for the environment to support risk reduction and habitat restoration as part of a highly innovative and collaborative team. While participating in multi-disciplinary teams with other engineers, ecologists, geologists, planners and more, you will contribute to a variety of projects including complex levee setbacks, flood protection facility repairs, fish passage improvements, habitat restorations, pump station overhauls and other multi-benefit projects. Your work will include developing design plans, technical specifications and cost estimates, providing construction documentation and oversight, and participating in field investigations and flood emergency response. You will have the opportunity to collaborate and build relationships with your unit and division colleagues, along with other county divisions and departments, regulatory agencies, community organizations, landowners and members of the community.

These positions follow a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.

About the Team:
The Strike Team in the River & Floodplain Management Section supports the capital program of the River and Floodplain Management Program. The team works to reduce flood and channel migration risk and restore habitat along major rivers in King County by leading all aspects of capital projects, being a resource team for the River and Floodplain Management Section and participating in flood emergency response program. These projects make a difference to the people and environment of King County!

The Strike Team is highly collaborative, hardworking, and welcomes diverse perspectives. We are looking for teammates who are ready to learn and contribute as part of a dynamic, innovative, and dedicated group.

The work King County performs along its major rivers is at the forefront of developing and implementing innovative, multi-benefit solutions addressing today's environmental, river management and habitat challenges.

The Water & Land Resources Division (WLRD), the parent Division for the River and Floodplain Management Section has a diverse portfolio of environmental and engineering services, including flood risk management, stormwater management, water quality improvement, salmon recovery, fish passage improvement, noxious weed removal, and support to agriculture and forestry in King County.

This portfolio puts the WLRD at the center of key initiatives launched by the County Executive, including the Flood Hazard Management Plan, Clean Water Healthy Habitat, Fish Passage Restoration, and the Land Conservation Initiative.

In the wake of historic flooding in December 2025, we have need to advance repairs to numerous flood protection facilities around King County.

These positions will immediately make a difference by supporting design and construction of repairs and collaborating as a team member for on-going projects at various stages of design and implementation.

Who Are We?
The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) is at the forefront of King County’s efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face of climate change. We are a dedicated workforce of more than 450 supported by an annual budget of ~$280 million. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies to protect working farms and forests, restore habitat, improve water quality, and provide county residents with equitable access to green space. We house the Land Conservation Initiative, which aims to preserve our last, most important lands. Our forestry and agricultural programs help individuals protect their lands and support local food production. We house four salmon recovery forums where we collaborate with scores of partners to plan, design, and build habitat projects. We partner with regional jurisdictions to help residents and businesses reduce the threats posed by production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. We are the primary service provider to the King County Flood Control District, contributing to flood preparedness and constructing and maintaining facilities that restore rivers and reduce risk. Our one true local service to unincorporated King County is stormwater management, protecting water quality, reducing flooding, and building and maintaining facilities. Finally, we provide regional science and laboratory services to an array of customers, maintaining high-quality data sets used to assess water quality and habitat trends, and provide Best Available Science to inform decision making. In two words, we are a watershed utility.


Apply now for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resource Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Requirements

What You Will Be Doing:

• Conduct engineering and technical analyses involving open channel hydraulics, floodplain and river conditions, flood and channel migration hazards, and development and assessment of project design elements.
• Prepare plans, specifications, and estimates (costs, quantities, and schedules) for flood hazard management projects, including the development of conceptual designs.
• Perform technical studies and engineering analyses, including preparation of corresponding technical reports.
• Contribute to development, implementation and administration of project scopes-of-work, schedules and budgets, environmental documentation, and contract requirements during all phases of projects.
• Conduct field work including construction oversight and inspection, investigation and engineering assessment of flood protection facilities, field surveys, and spatial data collection.
• Participate in flood warning and emergency response programs and activities, including flood emergency response actions, such as conducting problem site investigations, evaluating debris jams, documenting flood damages to County flood protection facilities.
  

Qualifications

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor of Science from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, environmental engineering, water resources, or closely related field, and demonstration of increasingly responsible work that is applicable to the primary job functions of this position.
• Demonstrated experience with open channel hydraulic engineering, river mechanics, and/or floodplain management project design and construction management experience and production of river engineering and technical analysis/reports, hydraulic modeling, design plans, specifications, or estimates.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with a diverse, multidisciplinary technical team from different professional backgrounds and participating with perseverance, patience, and levity on high-paced projects with overlapping deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience using AutoDesk Civil 3D as a design tool or in production of design plans.
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience working in situations requiring cross-cultural sensitivity and centering racial equity and social justice principles, and environmental justice.
• Ability to take verbal and written direction to perform tasks independently on assigned projects, while keeping senior and supervisory staff apprised of technical issues and schedule commitments.
• Ability to exercise proper tact and judgment while working remotely in the field and in a virtual office environment.
• Ability to work safely and effectively outdoors under adverse weather conditions during all seasons and in rugged, uneven terrain.

Required Licenses:

• Valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to starting work if selected for this position.
• Certification as an Engineer-In-Training.

Competencies You Bring:

• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Resourcefulness: Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
• Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Experience working on capital projects (analysis, design, construction) in aquatic or marine environment (including stormwater management).
• Advanced knowledge, understanding and application of hydrologic and open channel hydraulic principles and geomorphic processes.
• Advanced understanding and experience preparing plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Experience using Esri GIS software, such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Field Maps. Experience using AutoDesk Civil 3D or other CAD software.

Additional Information